Cubs Clean Slate … Let the Managerial Search Begin

The search for the next manager of the Chicago Cubs has already begun and according to the Tribune, Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer will interview a handful of candidates.

The Cubs are “looking for someone with whom and around whom we can build a foundation for sustained success.” The Cubs next manager “must have leadership and communication skills; he must place an emphasis on preparation and accountability; he must establish high standard and a winning culture; he must have integrity and an open mind; and he must have managerial or coaching experience at the major league level.”

While Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer search for the right man to lead the big league team, Mike Quade’s coaching staffremains in limbo and have been told they are free to seek employment with other organizations. According to the Sun-Times, each coach will be evaluated with the ultimate decision being made by the Cubs’ new manager. Rudy Jaramillo, Lester Strode and Pat Listach are the only three coaches from Quade’s staff that are under contract through the 2012 season … the contracts of Bobby Dernier, Ivan DeJesus, Mark Riggins and Dave Keller expire this week.

Managerial Search
According to a tweet from Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs are not focused on Terry Francona and it is unlikely they will go after an existing Major League manager. While Epstein’s connection and admiration of Joe Maddon is well documented, if Rosenthal is right, that would remove two of the nine names thrown out Wednesday by the mainstream media.

Dale SveumDale Sveum (born: November 23, 1963) played 862 games over 12 big league seasons with seven different organizations. Sveum has been on the Brewers’ coaching staff for the last six seasons and finished the 2008 season as Milwaukee’s manager after Ned Yost was fired. Sveum has served as hitting coach, third base coach and bench coach during his tenure with Milwaukee.

Sveum spent two seasons as third base coach for the Red Sox (2004-2005) and has been with the Brewers since October of 2005

Mike MadduxMike Maddux (born: August 27, 1961) pitched in 472 games over a 15-year big league career. Maddux, brother of Greg, pitched for nine different organizations (Phillies, Mets, Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres, Expos, Pirates, Mariners and Astros) and finished with a 39-37 record with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP.

Tim BogarTim Bogar (born: October 28, 1966) played in 701 games over nine seasons at the big league level for three different organizations (Mets, Astros and Dodgers). Bogar managed in Cleveland and Houston’s system for four seasons beginning in 2004 and compiled a 289-200 record. Baseball America named Bogar the best manager prospect in 2006.

Dave MartinezDave Martinez (born: September 26, 1964) played in 1919 games at the Major League level over 16 seasons … with a majority of three seasons coming in a Cubs’ uniform (1986-1988). The Cubs drafted Martinez in the third round of the 1983 draft.

Martinez has served as Rays’ bench coach over the last four seasons since being hired by Joe Maddon in October of 2007. Many thought Martinez would replace Ozzie Guillen on the South Side before Kenny Williams hired Robin Ventura.

Pete MackaninPete Mackanin (born: August 1, 1951) played nine seasons in the big leagues from 1973 through 1981 and the Chicago area native began his coaching career in the Cubs’ system. Many feel Mackanin will end up as the manager of the Red Sox once Boston completes their search.

Mackanin has served as the Phillies’ bench coach over the last three seasons and was the Reds interim manager in 2007 and the Pirates interim manager in 2005. Mackanin spent seven years as a coach at the big league level after 13 years managing in the minors. Mackanin was the Cubs minor league coordinator in 1987.

DeMarlo Hale DeMarlo Hale (born: July 16, 1961) played five seasons at the minor league level in the Red Sox and A’s organizations. Hale’s playing career ended in 1988. The Chicago area native began his coaching career in the Red Sox organization in 1992 after spending four years as an instructor at Bucky Dent’s Baseball School in Boca Raton from 1989 to 1992.

Sandy Alomar, Jr.
The brother of Robbie and son of Sandy had the most accomplished big league career of any of the rumored candidates. Sandy Alomar, Jr. (born: June 18, 1966) played in 1377 games over 20 seasons in the majors and retired only four seasons ago (2007).

“With the managerial searches and whatnot, we just haven’t had a lot of time to spend on it. We’ll get a little more time and hopefully have more time to talk a little bit about it. It was mutually agreed upon that we’d give ourselves at least another week before we turn it over (to the commissoner’s office). If we don’t have something in a week, we’ll revisit and decide whether it makes sense to revisit it and extend it further. But right now, it’s at least another week.”